Assignment Research: Handheld Devices

Define the term, what do we use it for?
A handheld device is a pocket-sized electronic device, typically having a screen using touch input, mini-keyboards, or buttons. Handheld devices can be used for communication, work and entertainment. Cellular phones and smart phones are examples of handheld devices used for communication, a PDA is an example of a handheld device that you can use for work, and Nintendo DS', PlayStation Portabes and iPods are examples of handheld devices used for entertainment purposes.

NEW DEVICE : PSP2 estimate of $399 - $499
OLD DEVICE : DS lite $100 - $175

HARDWARE PSP2 : The Playstation Portable 2 is thought of as being as powerful as the Playstation 3 because it's introducing a new quad-core GPU and cut down CELL processor. It is using the same CPU combo that powers the iPad 2 and the upcoming iPhone 5.
List  of the PSP2's specs;

- Screen: 5″ OLED multi-touch screen
- Control: A Multi-touch trackpad (rumored to be on the rear of the unit), four face buttons, two shoulder-  buttons, two analog sticks, directional pad
- Resolution: 960 x 544
- CPU: Quad-core ARM Cortex A9
- GPU: PowerVR SGX 543 MP4+
- RAM: 1GB LPDDR2 in the Debug unit, with 512 MB possible in the retail unit
- Storage: 16GB flash internal (like the PSP Go) and an SD slot
- Connectivity: Wi-fi, 3G, and Bluetooth

Assignment Planning

Today I plan to research about the four topics that I have chosen for the multimedia ebook project. I chose Handheld Devices, Social Networking, Seconday Storage and WiFi. I decided that I want to work alone on this project because it doesn't really make much of a difference if you're doing it with a partner or a group. The only benefit from working in a group is that all the topics you do are together in presentation. It would be difficult however because not everyone in the group may edit the presentation at the same time depending on what form of presentation they plan to use.

I have created the format that I wanted my powerpoint show to be in, and all I need to do is get the actual content, and plan on how I want it to be presented.

Phone Advice

1.       “My daughter insists that her phone be Wifi capable? What does this mean? Why does she need it?”

Having a phone that is Wifi capable means to have a phone that can use the internet in Wifi Hotspots. Wifi is free internet and she can only use it on a Wifi capable phone. I would expect that she wants to go online in places outside of the house so she can access things like her email and facebook.

2.       The mother says “She wants the camera in the phone to be at least 5 Meg thingys, what does this mean? Does she need it?”
I take it that you're talking about megapixels? Well, having a phone camera at least 5 megapixels basically means she wants a good quality camera that would come out with good images and video recordings graphic-wise. I don't believe that it's completely necessary however being a young teenager I'm sure she'd want to take a lot of pictures of herself with friends.

3.       “My daughter wants a phone with a capacitive touch screen. They seem more expensive, what advantages do they offer over other types of touch screens?”
A capacitive touch screen doesn't require a stylus and you must use your finger to use the screen. With a capacaitive screen you can lightly swipe your finger around the screen whereas other touch screens need more 'force' from your finger to move things around the screen.

4.       “Are all phone as smart as one another? What is the smartest phone at the moment and why?”
No not all phones are as smart as one another, the smartest phone of the moment ever since late March is the Samsung Galaxy S II because it's an extremely successful line. The physical image of the mobile alone will make you want it and it's using the latest technology of touch screens, 8 megapixel camera, integrated memory, WiFi capable, bluetooth and more.

5.       “She wants to take lots of video and photos. How do I know which phone can store the most videos and photos?”
There are two things you want to look for in a phone if your daughter wants to take photos and videos. First of all, look for the quality of the camera because you'd think that she wants good quality images correct? Then you look for the memory size of the phone and if it can use a micro SD card. This way, you can take a lot of photos and keep them in your phone memory.

6.       “She says she wants to be able to buys apps. What are apps? What sort of useful apps could she access? What types of phones can buy and use apps?”
Apps is the short term for applications and useful examples for your daughter would include the train timetables, facebook, and games. Phones that you can buy and use apps include the iPhone, smartphones and androids.

The CPU

1.       What is the function of the CPU?  A Central Processing Unit is the component of the computer that carries out the instructions from a program, and is the primary element of carrying out the functions of the computer or other processing device.

2.       What was the name of the first CPU? The first CPU created was called 'Intel 4004' however it was not very powerful and could only add and subtract information. However the first CPU that was used in a home computer was called the 'Intel 8080'.

3.       Referring to the graph on page 2 of the article, describe how the speed of CPU’s has changed. The speed of CPU's change is expanential. This means it varies throughout the years, but it's always rising.

4.       What does MIPS measure? MPS stands for "millions of instructions per second" and is a rough measure of the performance of a CPU. Modern CPUs can do so many different things that MIPS ratings lose a lot of their meaning, but you can get a general sense of the relative power of the CPUs from this column.                                                                                                                                   

5.       Research (Google it) what is a dual core processor, what is multitasking and how do the two work together. Dual core processors have two separate cores on the same physical machine. This means they can do two tasks at the same time without interfering one with the other or using up the others memory or processing speed. These can be located on the same mother board or separate mother boards.  These types of processors are used when several different tasks or operations need to be done simultaneously. Multitasking is when the two chips in the dual core are working on different things.